It’s never too late to say thank-you. On Thursday, six San Diego County World War II veterans and a seventh from San Clemente will receive French Legion of Honor medals.

Among them is Melchor T. Rillera. His military records show a birth date of Jan. 1, 1915, making him 99 today. However, Rillera’s son says his father was actually born in 1908 and is now 106. “He was too old to get into the First Special Service Force (when he enlisted) so he made himself seven years younger,” explained Danny Rillera, a University of San Diego chemistry lab tech.

Whatever his true age, Rillera is clearly the senior recipient. After serving in Alaska and Italy, Rillera’s unit was integrated into the 101st Airborne Division in France.

Fabrice Maïolino, the Deputy Consul General of France in Los Angeles., will conduct the private ceremony at 11 a.m. in the California State Veterans Home in Chula Vista.

U.S. vets who risked their lives fighting on French territory during World War II qualify to be decorated as Knights in its Legion of Honor, the highest accolade France bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals.

It’s never too late to say thank-you. On Thursday, six San Diego County World War II veterans and a seventh from San Clemente will receive French Legion of Honor medals.

Among them is Melchor T. Rillera. His military records show a birth date of Jan. 1, 1915, making him 99 today. However, Rillera’s son says his father was actually born in 1908 and is now 106. “He was too old to get into the First Special Service Force (when he enlisted) so he made himself seven years younger,” explained Danny Rillera, a University of San Diego chemistry lab tech.

Whatever his true age, Rillera is clearly the senior recipient. After serving in Alaska and Italy, Rillera’s unit was integrated into the 101st Airborne Division in France.

Fabrice Maïolino, the Deputy Consul General of France in Los Angeles., will conduct the private ceremony at 11 a.m. in the California State Veterans Home in Chula Vista.

U.S. vets who risked their lives fighting on French territory during World War II qualify to be decorated as Knights in its Legion of Honor, the highest accolade France bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals.